"Losing my religion is my version of an old phrase," explains Michael Stipe.
Michael Stipe spoke about the classic song "Losing My Religion" by R.E.M., saying that "he did not realize that it would become a hit single".
The band released the song in 1991. "Losing My Religion" reached No. 4 of the Billboard Hot 100 chart in the USA and in No. 19 of the Singles Chart of the United Kingdom.
In a new interview with The New Yorker, Michael Stipe was asked about some of the lyrics to "Losing My Religion" and the "old-fashioned phraseology" used in the song.
"I did not actually grow up in Georgia," he told reporters, adding that the lyrics may reflect the way people speak in the state.
"I was born there, I traveled a lot. I had not realized that my friends who were not from the South had no idea what my grandmother was saying the way she spoke. No idea. "And there are phrases I removed," he explained.
"Losing my religion" is my version of an old phrase. "I almost lost my temper," people used to say. I changed the phrase forever. "I did not realize that it would become a hit single", he continued.
R.E.M. - 1983
Meanwhile, Michael Stipe recently revealed that he intends to continue making new music for his solo projects.
"Music does not die at all, no. "I mean I love my voice, I love writing music and composing and orchestrating," he said in an interview.
"It's not an easy thing to do, though. "I was under a lot of pressure when the band (R.E.M.) was together, but now that I am alone I have zero representation: I do not have a contract with anyone, I am free," he stressed.
The R.E.M. disbanded in 2011 and Michael Stipe has insisted since then that the band will not be reunited.
